We look at our homes as one of (if not our most) valuable asset. However, when there’s still a mortgage on the house, it means that the property is not exactly ours yet. Sure, you may have equity but at the end of the day, you are still a borrower, and the bank still has the rights to the property. This fact (and in the interest of saving…on interest) is precisely why many strive to pay their houses off ASAP. Do you dream of a debt-free life? Here are 4 secrets to paying off your mortgage sooner rather than later.

Look at Your Finances

A mortgage is considered good debt. Therefore, you don’t want to pay off your house and leave yourself struggling elsewhere. It’s sort of like the saying, “Cutting off your nose to spite your face.”

Don’t go into paying off your house blind. Give an honest look at your finances. If you don’t see yourself dipping into your retirement or emergency fund, then have at it. Otherwise, it’s not worth paying off your mortgage so quickly.

Pay More Toward the Principal

A little bit can go a long way in shaving off time until your house is entirely yours. Whenever you find yourself coming into extra money, throw it in your mortgage payment.

Every time you chip away at the principal, you are sandblasting the interest. That’s because you must pay a percentage of what you owe, not a percentage of your actual mortgage. So, even an extra dollar can save you some serious cents down the road.

Just make sure you allocate any extra payment. Most mortgage companies will take your payment and apply the minimum to the principal. The rest tends to end up in escrow. Sitting in escrow will not help you lower your principal or interest rate.

Pay the Mortgage Twice in One Year

If a little bit every month doesn’t seem to lend itself to your routine, try doubling your mortgage payment once a year. Treat it as a one-time payment like a car tax. Budget this one-time payment and make it the same time every year.

Refinance for a Shorter Loan

The last few years have been hot for the refi market. Interest rates have been flirting with all-time lows. These desirable rates are the key to paying off your mortgage sooner.

While a refinance will help you cut down on interest, it will cause you to pay more on your principle. Typically, those who refinance will go from a 30-year loan to a 15-year loan. With a shorter loan, the interest rate will drop. So, you’re paying the house off faster and saving money in the long run, but you must pay more money upfront to get the savings.

We put so much time and effort into strengthening our personal relationships, we sometimes forget about one of the most important relationships in our lives. We’re talking about the one we have with our homes. It’s so easy to take your house for granted. Your home plays a backdrop for so many of your most memorable moments. So, why not show your house the love it shows you? Fall in love with your home this Valentine’s Day with these ideas!

Scent it Up

There are some quick ways to fall out of love with your house. Smelling like last week’s curry might be one of them. When you walk into a house, the first thing that hits you is how it smells. So, change up the greeting.

Pick out a new candle, perhaps something with roses to get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day. You can also neutralize any bad odors with a simple white candle. Not only will white candle smoke draw unpleasant scents out of the air, but there’s something nostalgic and chic about them too.

Not a candle nut? Get an essential oil diffuser and a variety of oils. From there, you can mix and match your scents all year round. For Valentine’s Day, we recommend a blend of rosehip oil, cinnamon bark oil, and lavender oil.

Host a Party

Houses do more than hold our junk. They are also the backbone of our memories. If you have fallen out of your love with your house, perhaps you’re not spending enough quality time with it?

With Valentine’s Day coming up, there’s no time better than now to make new memories. After all, everyone is itching for an excuse to have a party. Be their host. Create a night to remember that could only happen in one place…your house.

Give it a Fresh Coat of Paint

You know what’s worse than watching paint dry? Watching the same old paint already dried…for years. Changing paint color is like switching up a hairstyle. If you hate it, you can always change it. When it works, you gain a whole new appreciation for it.

Re-Do the Bathroom

Looking for a change but you’re on a budget? Go with the smallest room in the house. The bathroom is so easy to redo because all the replacements are rather inexpensive.

Pick a new theme. From there, switch up the mats, curtains, and soap dish holder to match your aesthetic. If you’re really feeling it, re-paint the room or put in a new backsplash. Who knows? The bathroom might be the good spark needed to ignite the fire behind renovating your whole house!

Buying a house is not only one of the most exciting challenges to take on, but it can be a stressful one as well. What’s the best approach to take when putting in your offer to avoid stress and worry? Preparation.

Being prepared, knowing the market, and feeling confident in your offer will make the whole process smoother and more successful. Take these seven things into consideration before putting your offer on the table.

Set Your Limit

It’s good practice to go through the process of pre-approval before you decide on a house. This not only makes the process more seamless once you’re ready to settle in, but helps you find clarity on your absolute budget. You’ll avoid falling in love with a house out of your reach with clear limits.

Get the Scoop

Once you’ve found your potential new home, your agent should communicate with the listing agent to get the scoop on what other offers have been made. This gives you more information about your competition and helps you make an educated offer.

Name Your Price

While making a strategic offer is an art and science. You’ll want a great deal on your house, but going too low can set you up for rejection. While price is negotiable when buying a home, there are other ways to get the most out of your money outside of the offer price.

Contingencies

Contingencies are extra steps that need to be made for the offer to go through the final stages. Having fewer contingencies usually makes for an easier sale. Bank pre-approvals is one way to minimize the contingencies on your end. For the seller, they will have to pass inspections and this is to your advantage. Make sure to go over any and all contingencies with your agent to secure your bet bargaining position.

Closing Date

Depending on your circumstances, it can be advantageous to set your specific closing date. This is important if you have other personal circumstances that will be affected by moving such as a new job, selling a previous home, etc… Otherwise, allow the seller to choose their best date.

Closing Costs

You’ll want to consider any closing costs you’ll incur in your budgeting for the down payment. This tends to be about 1-2% of the selling price and is split between seller and buyer. You can choose to pay these upfront or consider negotiating with the seller. They may be able to pay your portion by adding your costs to the total sale of the home so you can pay it back with your mortgage.

Special Pieces

If something in the home has caught your eye, consider adding into your offer. This is considered “personal property” and includes items like furniture and other removable pieces.

There is a lot to consider when making an offer and buying a home. Follow these considerations to stay on top of your options and make your best, educated offer!

As we ring in 2019, entrepreneurs will be pondering the new challenges of operating a successful small business in the new year. This major landmark is a great time to reflect on the wins and losses of the year, while working up some momentum to take the next by storm.

Businesses (and consumers) transform all the time –marketing trends, service expectations, and customer behavior are all ever-changing aspects of running a small business. Let’s see what’s in store for us in 2019.

Compassionate Service

With the increasing presence of technology in our daily lives, customers are seeking more human experiences. Small businesses can use this to their advantage: maintaining personal, detailed, client-oriented services is where small businesses shine. Go the extra mile, get to know your clients, and they will be forever loyal.

Niche Marketing and Advertising

Just as customers want personalized service, they’ll also respond best to personalized marketing strategies. This is an advantageous opportunity for small businesses to hone in and focus on their niche. Get specific on your audience and target clients and drive your marketing campaign specifically to them. Ditch the stock photos, generalizations, and one-size-fits-all mentality and recognize your unique clientele.

Reviews, Reviews, ReviewsThis isn’t particularly news, but reviews are king for the small business. Prospective clients have shown increasing reliance upon others’ reviews of services and goods when make their purchasing choices. In 2019, this trend will continue to develop even more. Make sure you have plenty of client review on your site and Google, Yelp, and other platforms.

The 2019 Employee

Employee desires are also evolving as we enter 2019. Pay is no longer the single driving force for many employees; they are seeking quality of life. This can come in many different forms, such as vacation time, work hour flexibility, wellness opportunities, and learning/advancement opportunities. Additionally, as technology advances, more and more employees are seeking remote work. Be open to allowing your employees to manage their in-office schedules with a day at home, or even a full-time remote position if possible.

The modern employee also comes from a diverse background. Consider hiring your team based on strong personality traits and potential, rather than the usual resume builders. Employees are moving around more often and seeking “personal development” in the form of internships, exchanges, and gap years. Be open to the unique applicants.

Small Business Success

Each year brings its own set of challenges for the small business owner. There are new trends, changes in business structure, hires, fires, and growth. Take on 2019 with your best foot forward by embracing some of the trends we see on the horizon. Wishing you a successful and prosperous year ahead!

A new year typically brings resolutions and promises to get better at some aspect of life. For homeowners, this is the perfect time to get the house in order. Use the start of a new calendar to organize, address, and review in preparation for the year ahead.

Homes require regular, routine maintenance in addition to some less frequent updates. Take stock in both these needs and plan for them throughout the year. Changing filters, testing and replacing smoke alarm batteries, and dryer vent cleaning should all make the list.

Plan for larger needs as well like roof inspections or HVAC maintenance. Put everything on a calendar to hold yourself accountable and avoid it “slipping your mind”.

Emergency plans can change based on a variety of factors like the age of those residing in the home and any renovations. It is important to review the plan annually, ensure everyone is aware of the plan, and make any appropriate updates.

Emergency contact information should also be reviewed each year. A list is useless if the names, numbers, and addresses are inaccurate. Be sure to update any new family phone numbers along with changes to physicians, dentists, and veterinarians.

The new year represents a fresh start and is a perfect time for a little pre-spring cleaning. While many months of winter may remain, is a great opportunity to evaluate the things around your home that may be excessive.

Evaluate closets and decide what clothing can be trashed or donated. Inspect storage spaces for useless or junk items that can be trashed, donated, or labeled for a spring yard sale. Take some time at the new year to do a little work and make the spring cleaning less cumbersome.

Conclusion

As part of your planning for the upcoming year, take a moment to evaluate your home and its needs. Approach the year with an organized perspective to make home maintenance far less daunting.

If you own a home or other property in California, property taxes are a fact of life. The state law enforces taxation on all property that is not deemed exempt. Taxes are used to provide services to residents in the county, like Los Angeles County. These services consist of police, fire, education, parks, and more.

The Impact of Prop 13

In California, Proposition (Prop) 13 dictates that property taxes cannot exceed 1% of the assessed value of a property. Property is assessed based on the purchase value of a home initially. Assessment updates are typically made when a home changes ownership or when additions are made to the home and surrounding property.

While a general 1% property tax is the maximum allowable in California, voters decide on special taxation based on where they live. While some areas of California see a tax rate under 1%, some pay more based on their location and special taxes approved by voters.

Prop 13 also dictates that the assessed value of a home cannot increase by more than 2% in a year. This was an incredibly impactful decision in the 1970s, as assessments were increasing faster than the incomes of homeowners.

Property Tax Variations

With Long Beach, Lakewood, and Signal Hill all residing so closely, why are there discrepancies in property tax rates? Simply put, it depends on what each city has decided to add to the general 1% tax levy.

For instance, if voters in Lakewood approve a local property tax rate of 1.5 cents per square foot to pay for upkeep on parks while Long Beach approves a measure allowing 1.3 cents per square foot, then the tax rate could be higher in Lakewood.

Property tax rates can change frequently, depending on the measures voted on during voting cycles. Thus, it is challenging to nail down a consistent number for each area. On average, people are paying around 1.2 to 1.5% in the Long Beach, Lakewood, and Signal Hill, California area.

The winter time is coming which means one thing…hibernation. Yet, that means ONE MORE thing…New Year’s Resolutions are around the corner. We all go a little hard on the food (and eggnog) in the winter and then try to make up for it when the ball drops. So, do you need help in the Long Beach area trying to find the best yoga studios, CrossFit gyms, and health clubs? Let’s take a look!

Best Yoga Studios in Long Beach

Want to sweat off the pounds while you find your inner zen? Look no further than Bikram Hot Yoga Long Beach. This yoga studio has everything you need to rid your body of toxic vibes including hot yoga and hot pilates classes. To decide if this is the right choice for you, feel free to stop in the second Saturday of every month at 10:30 am for a Hot Yoga Community Class.

If you are looking to do yoga on a budget, perhaps head over to Purple Yoga. Here they offer competitive pricing plans that have different tiers to offer. Purple Yoga is a less serious approach than Bikram Hot Yoga Long Beach. They host tons of fun events including an initiative throughout the whole month of November known as “Stuck in the 90’s.”

Best CrossFit in Long Beach

Take your fitness game to the next level with CrossFit Modern. People of all ages, sizes, and shapes are welcomed here. CrossFit classes run every two hours in the morning. Once afternoon hits, they expand to half past the hour every hour. So, there’s always time to get a class in!

Need a more hands-on experience with the coaches? Check out CrossFit Belmont Heights. This a very close-knit group. People always hang out after classes to help others with their workouts. To get the most of your workout, this is one of the best CrossFit groups near Spinnaker Bay.

Best Health Clubs in Long Beach

Nothing like stepping out your back door at Spinnaker Bay and being at the best health club in town. That’s what you get with Roworx. Whether you’re training for a triathlon or looking to improve your cardio, Roworx has the workout for you. Partake in a low impact, high calorie burning workout with a gorgeous view on Boathouse Lane.

Need a bit more variety with your workout? Head over to Long Beach hotspot, Naples Fitness Studio. Blocks from the beach, partake in classes on the sands or get your sweat-on in their state-of-the-art facility. No matter what there’s always classes to take (shout out to their kick-rear kickboxing classes) and calories to burn!

Once the decision to purchase a home is made, the next major task is finding the best mortgage lender. There are lenders teeming everywhere, looking for a homebuyer to join their portfolio. However, there is more to finding a lender than simply getting your loan application approved.

A home mortgage is something you will be dealing with for years and years. It is important to find the right mortgage lender for you and your needs. So, how do you go about finding the best one for you? Here are five things to think about when choosing the right mortgage lender for you.

Narrow it Down by Type

It is important to consider the type of mortgage lender you are looking for. Do you prefer a smaller mortgage company that focuses on customer service? Or are you more interested in a larger lender that offers the lowest possible interest rate? Remember, this is a long-term commitment and you want to make sure your lender fits your personality.

Lean on Word of Mouth

The best reference a company can possibly have is from a previous or current customer. Ask friends and family who their lenders are and what they think of them. A personal opinion is far more honest than something you read on a website.

Ask Your Real Estate Agent

This seems like an obvious thought; however, many people shy away from asking their agent because they have an in-house lender. Your agent should be honest enough to recommend more lenders than just the one in-house. Lenders recommended by agents are also eager to keep those recommendations coming, which should translate to great service for you.

Interview Candidates

You will be working closely with your lender and paying them a substantial amount of money over time. It is certainly reasonable to ask questions about their services and products before committing. Arrange to meet with prospective lenders to get a feel for how you will be treated.

Consider a Broker

Sometimes it is impossible to do all the heavy lifting of finding a mortgage lender alone. A broker could help with your search by arranging meetings, researching the background of a lender, and finding great rates. Keep in mind that many brokers have a selection of preferred lenders and receive income from making the connection.

Finding a mortgage lender is one of the most challenging aspects of purchasing a home. There are so many options available and new lenders are hitting the market each day. Do your research and follow these five tips to ensure you choose the right mortgage lender for you.

Long Beach already has one major benefit that makes October a great time of year for those in the area – the weather. With an average high of 78 degrees, people salivate over the ability to enjoy tee shirts and shorts in autumn. However, there are three great events going on that make October an even better time to be in Long Beach, California.

With the fourth annual Long Beach Oktoberfest set to take place, it is time to get those taste buds ready for hints of pumpkin and spice! This Oktoberfest event offers an array of activities, both traditional and unusual. Plenty of food will be on hand to enjoy and DJ Amanda B. will keep everyone entertained. Of course, the two unlimited tasting sessions from a dozen breweries will draw large crowds to the event.

It may look like an episode of The Walking Dead, but it is just the Long Beach Zombie Fest taking the area by very slow walking storm. This event is interactive in many ways, with zombie outfitted revelers taking a morbid, creepily coordinated walk around and participants joining in on a haunted house attraction. The non-zombies are welcome to take in the sights but no guarantees on getting out without a zombie horde “chasing” you down!

The popular Long Beach, CA shopping and entertainment area known as the Shoreline Village is welcoming all those who enjoy a good, or bad, fright. This October features a haunted maze and all proceeds go to the YMCA Youth Institute of Greater Long Beach. Halloween is all about the boos and screams, and you are sure to get your fill of them at this fantastically frightening event. You could even kill two zombies with one bullet by joining in the Long Beach Zombie Fest while you are visiting the Shoreline Village.

Long Beach, California has plenty to offer in October from the beautiful weather to the spooky Halloween celebrations. There is something for everyone to enjoy this October in Long Beach, California.

Late spring seems to get all the credit for the “best time to sell” your home. However, every season has something to offer those looking to sell their home. Fall happens to be the second-best time of year to sell, statistically.

Fall presents opportunity in that children have returned to school, freeing families up to do other things: like shop for a new home. Fall is one of the few times of year that there are more than a couple consecutive months with no major holidays impending. With an optimal home selling season comes open houses. Here are a few ways to ensure you throw the perfect fall open house to sell your home fast!

Fall is a great time of year to clean up the yard anyway, so sprucing up for your open house will kill two birds with one stone. Fall typically slows the growth of grass and plants, so trimming hedges and pruning trees is a great way to make the yard look great for the entire season. Planting popular plants like mums or marigolds in pots adorning your walk or porch brings instant, inexpensive curb appeal.

Dirty windows are surprisingly noticeable to those who do not live in your home. Summer tends to create a dust and dirt buildup on the exterior of windows and the interior tends to be neglected, as well. Spend the time to make the windows look clear, as they should.

Fall typically pleases people as the weather gets cooler and the summer frenzy calms down. Remember to make sure your home matches the season. Utilize throw pillows and blankets in seasonal colors, and a strategically placed pumpkin to make your home feel seasonally appropriate. Have some cider and fall treats available for your open house guests. Make it feel like fall, even if it has not fully set in yet.

Fall is a natural time of year to throw an open house. Like spring, it is a typical “cleaning” season, so any chores you need to do to prepare would have to be done anyway. If you accomplish your usual fall tasks and add a few autumn inspired touches to your home, you will have the perfect fall open house to sell your home fast.